High School Youth Nights
2nd & 4th Sundays | 6-7pm
Join us for an evening of snacks, games & God's Word. This month we are exploring what it means to be TOGETHER as God's people.
High School Sunday Serve
3rd Sundays | 1-2pm
These afternoons are designed to be a time of service to our community and church. This month we will be assembling special thank you boxes for teachers.
Middle School Event
1st Sundays | 1-3pm
Keep an eye open for more information about Events for 6th-8th grade students each month. We hope you'll join us!
Youth Ministry at Home Lesson
"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'”
- John 20:26-28
Doubt stems from questions that keep us from believing. Generally you have to be very brave to be a doubter, because believers generally don't like doubters. There are all kinds of doubt, of course. There are lazy doubters who simply use their questions to avoid the responsibility of belief. There are cynical doubters who question everything just because they like to shake everyone else's beliefs. We doubt when we don't know, we doubt when we are afraid to know, and we doubt when we don't want to know. But most of the time disciples doubt because they are confused or lost.
Jesus' disciple Thomas knew the cost of being a disciple and was willing to die for it (John 11:16); however, he was not willing to have a secondhand faith. He doubted whether the other disciples had seen Jesus. He wanted to touch the resurrected Jesus as proof. Jesus' response to Thomas is very important for disciples to understand. Instead of rejecting Thomas and banishing him from the disciples, Jesus honored his doubts and showed up!
Disciples doubt from time to time, and Jesus honors our doubts. In effect, Jesus says, "I wish you didn't doubt, but I love you because your faith is so important that you are brave enough to ask the questions of your soul." So when doubts arise, be bold like Thomas and ask about it! Trusting that God will show up and give you the answers you need to grow in faith.
A Doubt-filled Top Ten
Make a list of ten commonly accepted ideas that make you go, "Hmmmm..." Then pray, asking God to bring you boldness to express these doubts and ask for God to show up and bring you insights to your doubts.
Close in Prayer
Jesus, thank you for showing up. Thank you for not only listening to our doubts, but coming to us and bringing us answers when we need them. Show us the truth that comes only from you, that we may grow in our personal faith. Amen!